Activism related to wind farms is taking an interesting turn. Yesterday, the US Department of Justice announced that Duke Energy Renewables S.A. has agreed to file charges against her for violating legislation on bird protection.
So, the company admitted that its wind farms in Converse Country of the State of Wyoming of the United States, were responsible for the death of 14 golden eagles and other 149 bird species. The birds died all between 2009 and 2013.
The company also said that since it launched its first park on these green energy projects, it was aware of the fact that wind turbines could have fathered birds, and said that over the years it had become every effort to minimize the risk.
Specifically, a press release issued by the US Department of Justice αναφέρει: "Η Duke Energy Renewables Inc., a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp, based in Charlotte NC, today pleaded guilty in US District Court in Wyoming to violating federal Concase αποδημητικών πουλιών (ΜΒΤΑ) σε σχέση με τους θανάτους των προστατευόμενων πτηνών, συμπεριλαμβανομένων χρυσαετών, σε δύο αιολικά πάρκα της εταιρείας στο Wyoming".
"This case represents the first Migratory Bird Treaty criminal prosecution of unauthorized free-flight of birds by businesses with wind energy projects," the press release added.
Η Duke Energy Renewables Inc. αναμένεται τώρα να πληρώσει πρόστιμα για αποκατάσταση της φύσης και για κοινωνική ωφέλεια, ύψους $ 1.000.000 (€ 740.000). Τα πρόστιμα θα καταβληθούν σε διάφορες ομάδες διατήρησης της πανίδας, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του "Ταμείου Διατήρησης Υγρότοπων της Βόρειας Αμερικής", του τμήματος της "Wyoming Game και Fish" και του "Εθνικού Ιδρύματος Ψάρι και Αγρια Ζωή".
And also, the company must implement measures aimed at minimizing the risk posed by wind turbines for the birds in the area.
“We are deeply saddened by the impacts of two of our wind energy facilities on golden eagles. Always controlμε όλες τις αναφορές για όλα τα περιστατικά, και από τη στιγμή που ανακαλύψαμε τον πρώτο θάνατο, εργαστήκαμε στενά με το "Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Fish and WildLife" για να λάβουμε προληπτικά μέτρα για να διορθώσουμε το πρόβλημα», δήλωσε ο πρόεδρος της εταιρείας, Κος Greg Wolf.
“No form of energy production, or human activity for energy, is completely free of impacts and wind power is no exception," he added.
In fact, the uncontrolled installation of wind farms without serious environmental studies, with only money in mind, is a destructive material and spiritual heritage to our children. We give them both the wrong way of thinking and a ruined land. Activating citizens, and especially local organizations, can hit companies where they hurt, in money. With losses greater than their expected profits, they will reconsider their next investment.
